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Guardiola’s frustration at Kompany’s unreliable hamstrings, thighs and calves is almost palpable.

He responded to a polite enquiry about the defender’s possible return date with a terse “no idea” at last Friday’s press conference, and a follow-up question about how Kompany is feeling drew an identical response.

Kompany is still highly valuable to City, when fit, because he is their best natural defender - but he's also a born leader.

City have had some big personalities in the last eight years, with the likes of Joleon Lescott, Joe Hart, Patrick Vieira, and Yaya Toure all unafraid to speak their mind.

But Guardiola has fostered more of a team unity ethic and has gathered players who, while they may be fiercely competitive on the field, come across as pleasant, quietly-spoken individuals off it – men like Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and John Stones.

David Silva is the City vice-captain (Image: Getty Images)

So who steps up when Kompany’s voice cannot be heard in the dressing room?

Bernardo was asked who were the players who show leadership when things are going wrong, and his response was slightly surprising.

“Our captain is Vinny but unfortunately he is injured right now,” said the Portugal international.

“Fernandinho, Fabian Delph, David Silva, all of them, the more experienced guys have more experience, they know better how to solve the situation so we listen to them, we try to learn from them so our captains are the most important players to listen to in these kinds of moments.”

David Silva, as the second longest-serving player after Kompany, and as vice-captain, is no surprise, while Fernandinho is third in City’s list of five 'captains', followed by Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne.